Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer Review

Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer ($29.50) is busy getting mixed reviews so, I thought I’d share my thoughts on this hybrid moisturizer slash face primer. Yup, that’s exactly what this is! Clinique combines a lightweight moisturizer with a facial primer to provide all day hydration as well as oil control with a matte finish that blurs the appearances of pores and imperfections for a flawless finish.

Sounds interesting?

It is!

Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer quite reminds me a bit of L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother Finishing Cream. This is a cross between a moisturizer and a primer all-in-one. The formula is a hybrid moisturizer that acts to hydrate but at the same also sets to a matte finish that fills and blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines resulting in a smoother, more flawless finish.

This a contrasting formula that I felt sure wouldn’t work for my dry skin. But Clinique does market it for all skin types and hey, I was curious enough to try it. I like it, a lot. But it does require a little doctoring to use. Many of the reviews I read expressed how much it pilled on drier skin. A little goes a very long way in my experience which means I use moisturizer before applying it. Although it is supposed to act as a moisturizer of sorts, which it does well enough for Summer weather, there isn’t enough hydration here for drier skin especially when Winter sets in. In that case, I would recommend applying your normal skin care and before you apply your foundation apply a smidge of this and smooth it on gently. Right now my skin is behaving itself so, I’m not terribly dry and I can use this as a moisturizer should I like. But I still apply a lightweight moisturizer before it regardless. I feel if you apply to much you will run into the pilling issue so, a little does go a long way.

As a moisturizer it provides very light hydration. If you have combination or oily skin that moisture will be plenty enough to get you through the day. I used it as a lightweight moisturizer and I was quite alright with it. I didn’t feel dry or tight! It felt pleasantly hydrating through the wear plus it provided an excellent base for my foundation to adhere to. I don’t have visible pores but this has a knack for creating a very smooth surface on skin. I think the results are very visible once you apply foundation over it. Your skin appears smoother and if you have visible pores you’ll feel like it does a good job creating a base between your skin and foundation that makes your foundation look smoother which results in your pores appearing smaller or even less visible. I wouldn’t call the finish completely matte. If anything it has a velvety demi-matte finish. If you have super oily skin I think it might struggle a little mattifying shine and oil. However, if you’re like me and suffer a bit of shine it’ll do a good job curbing that.

I just felt my makeup looked smoother and more airbrushed when I was wearing this under it!

The actual formula is very creamy and feels like a cross between a lightweight moisturizer and a dimethicone-based primer. Think of a bit of a thicker, creamer version of Benefit POREfessional! It has absolutely no fragrance which is a plus for sensitive users. Speaking of sensitive! I kind of avoid silicone primers as they tend to make me a little itchy. Plus, hey, dry skin isn’t exactly a good candidate for such a formula. But I honestly had no issues with this making me itchy or feeling too heavy. It was very light and comfortable to wear.

I think the idea of Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer is a good one. I thought my makeup looked good when I wore this under it!

It’s well worth trying out!

Clinique Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer is available now at Clinique counters or online at Sephora.com. Don’t feel like dishing out $29.50 for a large size? Try the sample size for $15 which also includes a 1 oz size of the new Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser that’s available at Sephora.com as well!

I have! Mally’s formula is a little slicker to me and makes me a bit oily. Weird, I know but it does for some reason! It’s also a bit heavier. Clinique’s is a lot more creamier and isn’t as silicone-y as Mally’s formula. It feels more like a moisturizer in comparison. Hope that makes some sense!

Muse, have you tried Algenist Sublime Defense Anti-Aging Blurring Moisturizer SPF30? It acts as light moisturizer, sunscreen, and primer. I have drier skin too, so I don’t use during the winter, but it’s great during the summer. I just put a moisturizer underneath. But the blurring and smoothing properties are AMAZING! And I’m 46, no spring chicken. It really fills in pores and fine lines like a boss, swear it erases like 10 years off my face after I put foundation on top. It has silicone but doesn’t feel heavy, and believe me, I hate heavy silicone primers with a passion. It’s pricey, but I love it. If you want to try, Algenist is having their 25% off Friends and Family, and they have a $10 travel size on their website. Or you can get a sample at Sephora.

I bought this from Sephora’s website and returned it after the first use. It pilled and flaked as I was putting on my foundation. Ugh! I didn’t feel I put too much on either. There were no reviews when I ordered it, but after I returned it, I did see a few reviews and they all had the same complaint…pilling and flaking. I was so disappointed. I wanted to really like this product. Personally, I don’t recommend it.

Great Review very helpful thank you – I just wanted to give you a heads up; someone has obviously taken your review and changed a few words here and there and posted it as their own? Luckily there’s makes no sense due to the minimal word swaps through out, so It was too illiterate to read, and then I came across yours!

I got this in my Sephora Play box. I have very oily skin with large pores, and this seems to help mask both problems. I haven’t had all the pilling and negative effects that some of the reviews mention, so I’m really confused. Works really well for me, and definitely considering buying the full size when this sample is gone!